Global energy leader to collaborate with UT on cutting-edge research, thought leadership, student engagement, innovation, entrepreneurship and competitive seed grant program

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At this year’s UT Energy Week, the Poster Competition proved that the future of energy research is not only bright—it’s interdisciplinary, collaborative, and deeply rooted in student-led innovation. Hosted by the Energy Institute in partnership with the Longhorn Energy Club, American Nuclear Society and Switch Energy Club, the competition brought together undergraduate and graduate researchers from across the Forty Acres, and some additional throughout the region, including Mexico, to present work in energy technology and policy. With over $9,000 in prizes awarded across two tracks, the competition didn’t just recognize excellence—it amplified it. More than a showcase, the Poster Competition fostered dialogue that bridges academic silos and pushes the boundaries of energy innovation. By drawing participants from departments across campus and throughout the region, and engaging attendees from industry and academia alike, the event sparked conversations that extended far beyond the posters themselves. "The UT Energy Week Poster Competition was more than a research showcase—it became a catalyst for cross-disciplinary dialogue on cutting-edge energy solutions,” said Pranav Thacker, Second Place Winner in the Energy Technology track and PhD candidate in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering. “Beyond presenting posters, participants exchanged ideas on entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and ways to strengthen the impact of ongoing research.”

David Mitlin, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, Donald Siegel, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering. This project was awarded the 2024 Strategic Energy Seed Grant.

Manish Kumar, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering; Venkat Ganesan, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering; Harekrushna Behera, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering. This project was awarded the 2024 Strategic Energy Seed Grant.

UT Research Team Exploring Geologic Hydrogen Recovery

The University of Texas at Austin is partnering with a new regional energy center, the HyVelocity Hub, to help bring the benefits of hydrogen energy to local communities vulnerable to pollution, the University announced on Oct. 13.

President Joe Biden is investing $7 billion in seven hydrogen hubs to promote clean hydrogen production, aiming to reduce emissions from its current production process amidst the debate over whether it should be produced as "blue" or "green" hydrogen

With funding from the Biden administration’s infrastructure law, the HyVelocity Hub is a consortium of seven energy-producing companies. The hub will advance the development of clean energy and bring jobs to the Gulf Coast area.

President Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm have unveiled seven regional clean hydrogen hubs, backed by $7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, to drive the growth of low-cost, clean hydrogen in the U.S. These hubs are integral to President Biden's clean energy vision, expected to trigger more than $40 billion in private investment, create thousands of jobs, reduce carbon emissions by 25 million metric tons annually, and help achieve the 2030 U.S. clean hydrogen production goal, with an overall investment of nearly $50 billion in clean manufacturing and job creation.